MSU send-off parties biggest ever

Special to The Dispatch

July 17, 2010 9:12:00 PM

A record-breaking 58 "send-off" parties will be hosted this month and in August by the Mississippi State University Alumni Association and Office of Admissions and Scholarships, as chapters around the nation welcome incoming students to the 132-year-old land grant institution.

From July 26 to August 9, the Alumni Association''s biggest year yet for these events will include chapters in Ohio and Illinois for the first time, along with chapters in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Texas.

Annual send-off parties provide opportunities for incoming students to meet future classmates, as well as alumni and friends of the university. These events also give prospective students and their parents more information about what Mississippi State has to offer.

"Our chapters have rallied behind the send-off parties in an effort to increase awareness about Mississippi State in their local community and to welcome our incoming students to the Bulldog family," said Dr. Jimmy Abraham, associate vice president for development and alumni and executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. "Our alumni and friends are without question our best allies."

Area send-off parties listed on the Alumni Association website are:

Oktibbeha County -- Tuesday, July 27, 6 p.m., at the M-Club building at Davis Wade Stadium on the MSU campus (third floor). Free. RSVP to Stan Acy at sacy@tcbphila.com, or 662-323-1420.

Clay County -- Tuesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m., Anthony''s Restaurant, 116 West Main Street, in West Point. Free to incoming and prospective students and their parents; $10 for alumni, friends and all others. RSVP to Sandra Murray at smurray@bankfirstfs.com, or 662-494-5322; or Trina Dendy at tdendy@eastms.edu at 662-605-0605.

Lowndes County -- Thursday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Columbus Country Club, 2331 Military Road. Free. RSVP to Will Cooper at wcooper@nicholscrowell.com, or 662-243-7334 or 662-364-1316.

"The annual send-off parties are among the most ambitious events hosted by Mississippi State each year," said Mark E. Keenum, university president. "This effort is a tribute to so many MSU alumni and friends whose involvement and support are helping us reach out to students and parents in their communities."

For scheduled events in other areas, visit the Alumni Association website at www.alumni.msstate.edu/sendoff.